According to sources close to Ronaldo, the Portuguese international shares a very close bond with Ferguson, whom he treats as a father figure, and he won't risk hurting the Scott by joining wealthy City.

"Cristiano has always been close to Alex Ferguson, and even now, they still talk. Cristiano simply would not risk hurting him by joining Ferguson's immediate rivals," the Sun quoted a source close to Ronaldo, as saying.

Ronaldo recently spelt out just what Ferguson meant to him.

"When I arrived at United I was 18, and Sir Alex was like a father to me. He taught me many things. I worked with him for six years, and he is a great human, a great coach. Sir Alex and Jose Mourinho are the two best coaches in the world," Ronaldo said. (ANI)